Blogs

Our blogs provide fresh, impassioned and authoritative commentary and insight about the variety of civil-liberties issues that the ACLU of Michigan takes up each day in our courts, governments and communities.

Get Involved

With the help of dedicated volunteers and community activists, the ACLU of Michigan works to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the individual rights and liberties that are guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

Get Help

The ACLU of Michigan is one of more than 50 affiliates in the United States. As such, we encourage you to know as much as possible about your civil liberties. Further, if you feel those liberties have been violated, we suggest you submit a complaint. We only accept complaints that occur within the State of Michigan. If your complaint arose in a state other than Michigan, you must contact the ACLU office in that state.

About Us

Since our founding in 1920, the American Civil Liberties Union has led the fight to conserve our most precious liberties. Through the passion of our supporters, we have grown from a roomful of civil liberties activists to an organization of more than 500,000 active members and supporters with 54 state affiliate offices as well as a legislative office in Washington, DC.

ACLU Files Constitutional Challenge To Law Keeping Conyers Off Ballot

2014-05-13 00:00:00

DETROIT – The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan filed a federal lawsuit late yesterday arguing that Congressman John Conyers should not be tossed from the August primary ballot because Michigan’s law prohibiting individuals who are not registered to vote from circulating candidate nominating petitions is unconstitutional.

The case was filed on behalf of two ardent supporters of Congressman Conyers, one who has voted him since 1964 and one who circulated nominating petitions on his behalf.

Students Vote: Figuring Out Your Voting Plan

2012-10-08 00:00:00

As a college student during the 2008 presidential election, my classes had helped me to stay informed on relevant issues and challenge opposing viewpoints. Now the only challenge was figuring out how to register and what polling place to go to!

For the current presidential race, students may have some questions about the logistics of voting—how to register or vote as an absentee—but such concerns should not discourage students from casting their vote in November.

The Truth About Voting in Michigan

2008-09-30 00:00:00

"Can I wear campaign gear into the polls?" "What if I don't have any photo ID?" "Are the rumors about foreclosure true?"

Today marks five weeks before Election Day, and questions about voting rights are everywhere. Click "Read More" below to find out the truth about voting in Michigan and then share the truth with a friend.

ACLU Wins Federal Lawsuit Challenging Michigan Primary Election Law

2008-03-26 00:00:00

DETROIT – The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan applauded a federal judge’s ruling today barring the Michigan Secretary of State from providing the party preference declarations of voters solely to the two major political parties of the State in accordance with the primary election law. The lawsuit was filed in January on behalf of the Green Party of Michigan, Libertarian Party of Michigan, the Reform Party of Michigan, the Metro Times and Winning Strategies, a political consulting firm.

DETROIT – A federal judge today granted the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan’s petition for a preliminary injunction prohibiting the Secretary of State from distributing the party preference declarations solely to the two major political parties of the State until oral arguments on March 26, 2008 at 2 p.m.

DETROIT — The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan announced today a federal lawsuit challenging the new primary law that requires the Michigan Secretary of State to provide party preference declarations solely to the two major political parties of the State. The law, passed in August of 2007, makes it a misdemeanor for others, including political parties, journalists, academics or historians, to have access or use the lists.

ACLU Offers Easy Tips for Student Voters

DETROIT – In an effort to inform young voters about their rights, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and the NAACP have created an “how to” flier about voting while away at school.

The leaflet, “Election 2004  Student Voting Made Easy,” is available on the ACLU of Michigan website, www.aclumich.org. and the website of the Michigan State Conference of the NAACP, www.michigannaacp.org.

Election 2004

2005-06-26 00:00:00

Should I Vote at School or at Home?

Students in Michigan have the choice of voting either in their college town or in their hometown. If you are a Michigan resident voting in Michigan, the address on your voter registration card must match the address on your driver’s license. So, just decide whether it is easiest to vote at home or at school and take the following simple steps to exercise your most fundamental right! And don’t be shut out -- the deadline for changing your voting place or registering to vote is October 4, 2004!